v2.4.0.6

PARTNERS' EQUITY (Tables) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012
PARTNERS' EQUITY [Abstract] |
Schedule of Changes in Partners' Equity | The following table summarizes changes in the carrying amount of equity attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. partners and noncontrolling interest:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 |  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
| NuStar Energy L.P. Partners’ Equity |  | Noncontrolling Interest |  | Total Partners’ Equity |  | NuStar Energy L.P. Partners’ Equity |  | Noncontrolling Interest |  | Total Partners’ Equity
| (Thousands of Dollars)
Beginning balance | $ | 2,852,201 |  |  | $ | 12,134 |  |  | $ | 2,864,335 |  |  | $ | 2,702,700 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,702,700 |
Acquisition | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15,000 |  |  | 15,000 |
Net income | 26,351 |  |  | (97 | ) |  | 26,254 |  |  | 28,502 |  |  | 14 |  |  | 28,516 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 7,911 |  |  | 1,119 |  |  | 9,030 |  |  | 8,553 |  |  | 552 |  |  | 9,105 |
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges | (53,823 | ) |  | — |  |  | (53,823 | ) |  | 2,878 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,878 |
Net loss reclassified into income on cash flow hedges | 7,767 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,767 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (38,145 | ) |  | 1,119 |  |  | (37,026 | ) |  | 11,431 |  |  | 552 |  |  | 11,983 |
Cash distributions to partners | (89,076 | ) |  | — |  |  | (89,076 | ) |  | (79,616 | ) |  | — |  |  | (79,616 | )
Other | (269 | ) |  | — |  |  | (269 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Ending balance | $ | 2,751,062 |  |  | $ | 13,156 |  |  | $ | 2,764,218 |  |  | $ | 2,663,017 |  |  | $ | 15,566 |  |  | $ | 2,678,583 |
Schedule of Calculation of Net Income Applicable to General Partner [Text Block] | The following table details the calculation of net income applicable to the general partner:
| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2012 |  | 2011
| (Thousands of Dollars)
Net income attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ | 26,351 |  |  | $ | 28,502 |
Less general partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |  |  | 8,568 |
Net income after general partner incentive distribution | 16,535 |  |  | 19,934 |
General partner interest | 2 | % |  | 2 | %
General partner allocation of net income after general partner incentive distribution | 331 |  |  | 398 |
General partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |  |  | 8,568 |
Net income applicable to general partner | $ | 10,147 |  |  | $ | 8,966 |
Schedule of Distributions To General and Limited Partners [Text Block] | The following table reflects the allocation of total cash distributions to the general and limited partners applicable to the period in which the distributions were earned:
| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2012 |  | 2011
| (Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data)
General partner interest | $ | 1,782 |  |  | $ | 1,592 |
General partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |  |  | 8,568 |
Total general partner distribution | 11,598 |  |  | 10,160 |
Limited partners’ distribution | 77,478 |  |  | 69,456 |
Total cash distributions | $ | 89,076 |  |  | $ | 79,616 |
Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners | $ | 1.095 |  |  | $ | 1.075 |

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- Definition The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6228006&loc=d3e74512-122707 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187143-122770 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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